20.Unexpected feelings

The next few days after their chat at the café, Riya found herself constantly thinking about Vishal. His playful teasing, the way he made her laugh, and the way he always knew how to make her feel special—it was all becoming so much more than just friendship. She was beginning to realize that maybe, just maybe, her feelings for him were growing in ways she hadn't expected.

It was another evening when she sat down to have a quiet moment to herself. She had been so caught up in the whirlwind of school and her social life that she hadn't realized how much time had passed since she last saw Vishal. The thought of him made her heart flutter in a way that was both exciting and nerve-wracking.

Her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at it. It was Vishal.

Vishal: Hey, Riya! How's it going?

Riya smiled at the message and quickly replied.

Riya: Hey! Everything's good. Just trying to survive the last few days of school. You?

Vishal: Same here. It's been a bit crazy with my trip and everything, but I'm finally getting some downtime. How's Aanya? Still up to her usual mischief?

Riya: Oh, you have no idea! She's already planning our next "adventure." I'm trying to stay out of it, but we both know that's impossible. [laughs]

Vishal: Haha, classic Aanya. Well, I guess that means you're the one who keeps things under control, right? [grinning emoji]

Riya couldn't help but smile at his response. There was something about the way he made her feel—like she was important, like everything she said mattered to him.

Riya: You could say that, but it's a full-time job. Anyway, what's on your mind?

Vishal: Actually, I was thinking about something… Are you free this weekend? Maybe we could hang out? It's been a while, and I kind of miss seeing you in person.

Riya's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected this, but she also couldn't deny that the thought of spending more time with him made her feel giddy.

Riya: I'm free! What do you have in mind?

Vishal: How about we go for a walk by the lake? We can grab some coffee and just... talk. It's been way too long since we had one of those deep, random conversations. [smiley emoji]

Riya felt a warm flutter in her chest at the idea. She liked the sound of that—simple, but meaningful. She thought about it for a moment, wondering if she was ready to take the next step with him. But then again, they had already crossed a lot of boundaries, hadn't they?

Riya: That sounds perfect, actually. I'll meet you at the lake around 5?

Vishal: 5 it is. Can't wait to see you, Riya. [heart emoji]

Riya bit her lip, her heart racing. What was it about Vishal that made everything feel so right? She had a thousand things running through her mind, but she couldn't deny that she was looking forward to this. Maybe it was time to let herself explore the feelings she had been pushing away for so long.

---

Saturday, 5:00 PM

Riya arrived at the lake just as the sun was beginning to set. The golden light reflected off the water, creating a serene atmosphere that made her feel at ease. She spotted Vishal standing near a bench, his hands in his pockets, looking as relaxed as ever.

As soon as he saw her, his face lit up, and Riya couldn't help but smile back.

Vishal: There she is! I was starting to think you weren't coming.

Riya (teasing): Are you sure you didn't just want an excuse to stare at the sunset?

Vishal: Well, maybe a little. But mostly, I just wanted to see you.

Riya felt her heart race again. His words were simple, but they had the power to make her feel like she was the only person in the world.

Riya (playfully): You've been away for a while, so I guess I can forgive you.

They both laughed as they walked toward the water. The conversation flowed easily, from funny school stories to random observations about the world around them. But as the sun began to dip lower, something shifted in the air between them. The lightness of their laughter turned into something more tender.

Vishal (softly): You know, Riya, I've been thinking a lot. I've missed you. More than I expected, actually.

Riya's heart skipped a beat. She stopped walking and turned to face him.

Riya: What do you mean?

Vishal stepped a little closer, his expression serious now, though still warm.

Vishal: I mean… being around you just feels right. You make everything seem easier, even when things are complicated. And I don't know… I think about you more than I should.

Riya felt her breath catch in her throat. Was this really happening? Was he telling her what she thought he was?

Riya (nervously): Vishal...

Before she could say anything more, he took a step closer and gently placed his hand on hers. The touch was light, but it sent a spark through her.

Vishal: Riya... I like you. A lot. And I don't want to just be the guy you talk to occasionally. I want to be someone you can count on, someone you can trust...

Riya's heart raced. She had known it deep down, but hearing him say it out loud made everything so real. She looked up at him, her eyes locking with his.

Riya (softly): I like you too, Vishal. More than I can even put into words. [pauses] I just didn't know how to say it.

Vishal's smile was warm and genuine. He gently squeezed her hand.

Vishal: You just did.

They stood there for a moment, just looking at each other, the world around them fading into the background. It felt like time had stopped, and for the first time in a long time

Riya stood there, her hand still in Vishal's, her heart beating fast. The words she had kept buried deep inside her finally felt like they had a place to breathe. It was both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

Vishal's gaze softened as he took a step closer to her, his hand still holding hers gently but securely.

Vishal (softly): I never thought I'd be able to say that out loud, but now that I have… it feels like everything makes sense.

Riya felt a flutter in her chest, her breath hitching at how honest he sounded. She opened her mouth, but no words came out. What could she say in response to that? Was this really happening? Was this the same Vishal who had been teasing her only a few days ago? Now, everything felt different.

Riya (finally speaking, with a slight smile): It feels like I've been waiting for you to say that for a long time...

Vishal raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.

Vishal: You were waiting for me? What took you so long to tell me you liked me too, huh?

Riya laughed, feeling the tension lift a little between them. His teasing side was still very much there, but there was a warmth now that she hadn't noticed before.

Riya (grinning): I wasn't sure if you felt the same way, okay? You always play it so cool. It was like trying to read a book with no chapters!

Vishal (mock offended): A book with no chapters? I'm offended, Riya. You think I'm an unreadable mystery?

Riya shook her head, still laughing.

Riya: Not unreadable, just… unpredictable.

Vishal (with a dramatic sigh): Well, you've cracked the code now, haven't you?

Riya grinned, but her eyes softened as she looked at him, taking in the sincerity behind his playful words.

Riya (quietly): I'm glad I did.

There was a pause, and they both seemed to be lost in the moment. The sun was now dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of pink and orange. It felt like a perfect backdrop to the new chapter they were about to write together.

Vishal (looking at the sunset): You know, I've always loved sunsets. They remind me that even though things end, they always come back again the next day. It's kind of like... relationships, don't you think?

Riya turned to face him, intrigued by his words.

Riya (softly): How do you mean?

Vishal: Well, sometimes relationships go through tough times or periods of distance, but if they're real, they find their way back. And if the sunset keeps coming back, maybe it's a sign that... some things are meant to last.

Riya's heart fluttered at his words. She hadn't expected him to be so thoughtful, so deep.

Riya (smiling): I think you might be right. Maybe this is just the beginning for us...

Vishal: Maybe.

There was something in his eyes now—a mixture of hope and excitement, and Riya couldn't help but feel the same. She hadn't known what to expect when they first met, but now, as they stood there in the fading light of the evening, she realized that maybe they had always been meant to find their way to this moment.

The sound of her phone buzzing suddenly broke the moment, and she glanced down. It was Aanya. Riya smiled, but a part of her didn't want to leave the peace she felt with Vishal.

Riya: I should probably take this... It's Aanya.

Vishal (grinning): Of course. You can't leave your best friend hanging, right?

Riya (laughing): You know it. But hey, we should do this again. Soon.

Vishal: Definitely. I'm not going anywhere, Riya.

Riya felt a rush of warmth as she turned to walk away. Her phone was still buzzing in her hand, but her mind was entirely on what had just happened. Could it be that this was really happening? Was she finally going to let herself trust in something, someone, after all the walls she had built?

The evening had been perfect in so many ways. As she answered Aanya's call, she couldn't help but smile. She was ready for what was to come. With Vishal by her side, maybe this wasn't just a summer fling after all.